What Makes the Difference Between Grades of Nutritional Supplements?
There are a few processes which can make all the difference in the quality and purity of the nutritional supplement you purchase. These processes are known as follows:
A process called pharmaceutical
GMP compliance is the main fundamental difference. This process is among the most rigorous and stringent manufacturing standards for dietary supplements in the world. By using supplements that adhere to pharmaceutical GMP compliance standards, you can be sure the product you are buying is free from harmful contaminants and contains the actual ingredients listed.
The second process is something known as a
COA (Certificate of Analysis), which a company selling health supplements should have on file for each batch of products produced. In short, this confirms the potency of the ingredients used in their nutritional supplements.
Products you obtain should
use only standardized herbal extracts. These are what contain the actual active ingredients of the herb, and, hence, where the true therapeutic benefit lies. Many companies on the market do NOT use standardized herbal extracts, because alternative health supplements manufactured without them are much cheaper to produce.
Are there any side effects?
A quality health supplement will contain all natural ingredients, however, that does not mean a person will have no side effects. Side effects can vary depending on you as an individual. However, generally, by obtaining a quality natural supplement, you will be at a far less risk from unwanted side effects.
High Synergy
All ingredients should be assessed at molecular level to ensure synergy, safety and effectiveness. This is crucial because when some ingredients are combined they will help create other substances in the body.
The Best Delivery System
Without a good delivery system a supplement is rendered useless. Many supplements will pass through the body with the active ingredients never being released. Other supplements will lose their efficacy when active ingredients are released in the stomach and they are converted to less potent ‘salt’ forms by the hydrochloric acid present in the stomach.
Products should use techniques to ensure that the active ingredients reach the liver via the blood stream for distribution to various body organs and cells.
1. It encases the active ingredients using a technology known as
enteric coating. This enables the active ingredients to be released in the upper intestine, thus avoiding damage to any of the nutrients.
2. It binds various active ingredients with larger molecular sizes to selected enzymes, which when released in the upper intestine, break the molecules down to a smaller size to enable easy transfer of the nutrients through the intestinal wall into the blood stream and then on to the liver.
Are you purchasing from a reputable company that sells a wide array of health supplements and has the company been in business for some time?
Many companies on the market selling vitamins are no more than middle men. You will find that they purchase bulk raw ingredients from a wholesale distributor and have little quality control. Some companies buy supplements already packaged in an unlabeled bottle and add their own label, this is appalling to be honest, and its surprising these companies get away with it, after all, its us as consumers who are the ones that suffer.
Some even dilute the active ingredients in order to increase profits. Random samples by consumer groups have shown that many supplements being sold do not contain what is printed on the label. Reputable companies guarantee quality, content and customer satisfaction.
What are the ingredients contained in the supplement?
Vitamins, although important for our daily diet, are very weak anti oxidants when compared to other, more powerful nutrients. We need high doses of antioxidants to fight off free radicals. Free radicals have been said to be the very process of what causes aging and disease in the human body. Anti oxidants balance out the acid in our internal system and help keep free radicals under control.
The benefits of such powerful nutrients for our present and future health.
Aloe vera is a potent anti-oxidant:
"Not all Aloe Vera's are the same...
It is important to be aware that the Aloe Vera extract you see advertised is usually quite weak and the only type that gives the protection is one which is harvested and prepared in a special way which involves spray drying and concentrating to 200:1. This is quite an uncommon extract as it is more expensive to process in this manner. It is nothing like the common aloe vera sold in liquid form which also has additives and preservatives which are needed when in solution form."
Health Turmeric..
Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing free radical damage, and acts as an anti-inflammatory, which may help mitigate arthritis (and other) pains. Many people, in fact, swear by turmeric pain relief.
Health turmeric also harbors anti-carcinogenic properties. For example,
curcumin slowed the development of prostate cancer on tumor cells in a lab dish and another study at a major University revealed that "a mixture of
curcumin and isoflavonoids is the most potent inhibitor against the growth of human
breast tumor cells."
A Clinical study at UCLA revealed that curcumin from tumeric may help slow the progression of Alzheimer's. Specifically, it reduced the buildup of amyloid protein "plaques" in the brain of rats. Amyloid protein plaque buildup is one of the primary factors that characterizes Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that cultures such as India which use a lot of curcumin in their cooking have a much lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease than the Western world.
Ginger Root..
Ginger root herb is also a highly effective antibiotic agent, strong antioxidant (scavenges free radicals that would otherwise damage healthy cells), and harbors anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Therefore, it has been used to treat arthritis, along with bodily aches and pains. It also may benefit colds, flus, and allergies.
Medical ginger root, indeed. For these reasons and more, this is one of the most popular and sought after herbals.
Green Tea..
Because of its potent antioxidant strength, green tea extract is a powerful immune system booster, which is just one of the health benefits of green tea.
Studies and research have revealed that green tea extract may, in fact, be one of the most potent nutrients in the fight against various forms of cancer and heart disease. The benefits of green tea extract continue to impress the researchers of Modern medicine.
For example, it has been shown to reduce the damage caused by LDL (bad) cholesterol, which, if left unchecked, leads to the buildup of plaque in arterial walls. Such buildup can eventually trigger off heart attacks. In addition, green tea extract harbors a compound that appears to induce cancer cells to die off and stop reproducing.
Large studies have shown that both men and women who consumed green tea had far
less pancreatic, rectal, and colon cancer. Experts are hopeful the benefits of green tea extract will prove in the future to be just as beneficial for breast, stomach, and skin cancers as well.
Lastly, green tea seems to hold great promise as a substance that can regulate glucose –- the body’s primary source of fuel. Any glucose that isn’t used becomes stored by the body as fat. Therefore, in this way, green tea may function as a weight loss aid.
Red clover..
The benefits of red clover have most been attributed to alleviating a wide range of
skin disorders, such as
eczema and psoriasis.
Traditionally, it was used as a cancer fighting agent, but, in this regard, there is scant scientific evidence.
Other noted benefits of this herb include: alleviating bronchitis, and associated coughing; fighting colds, flus, and sore throats; mitigating liver problems; helping to relieve arthritis pains; and improving digestion.
Red clover is rich in the following nutrients, all of which have their own respective benefits: calcium, chromium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins C and A, and the B-complex.
In addition, there are chemically active constituents in red clover that have been ascribed to have benefits for postmenopausal women. Like some other herbs, it is believed these compounds can have positive estrogen regulating effects.
Gotu Kola..
Gotu kola extract is best known for promoting healthy skin and helping skin conditions, such as burns, scar tissue, psoriasis, and the like.
More recently, however, it has been attributed a broad range of benefits that include enhancing mental acuity, staving off memory deterioration, improving blood flow by strengthening blood vessels, and mitigating unsightly varicose veins.
Unlike some other herbal remedies, where the scientific evidence is scant, the gotu kola benefits are strongly suggested by various studies.
For example, in the book published by Reader's Digest called "The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs" it states: "In one study, 30 developmentally disabled children were found to have significantly better concentration and attention after taking gotu kola for 12 weeks..." and "In more than a dozen studies observing gotu kola's effects on veins...about 80% of patients with varicose veins and similar problems showed substantial improvement."
The active constituent of the herb is called asiaticoside. It is this substance which harbors properties that seem to be able to help the body build connective tissues, such as the collagen that keeps skin firm, and enhance vascular and neurological functioning.
Alpha-Lipoic acid..
Alpha-Lipoic acid acts as a facilitator to other powerful antioxidants, such as Vitamin E and C, by “recycling” them in the body, thus increasing their effectiveness. Because it is believed to be such a powerful antioxidant, it is now used to treat and prevent a wide array of
age related diseases, including diabetes, cataracts, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s, along with boosting the immune system.
In particular, it has been used to treat nerve damage that can result from diabetes. The nerve damage is believed to be a result of free radicals, which can be counteracted by potent antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid. It has also been shown in studies to help diabetics lower their glucose levels.
Another major benefit is its ability to chelate (pull out) heavy metals (such as lead, cadmium, and mercury) and assists the liver in clearing out other bodily toxins.
Resveratrol..
1) Powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that can neutralize free radicals, which are highly reactive compounds that, if left unchecked, can lead to cellular damage. Free radicals are believed by some experts to be a major culprit in heart disease, cancer, and aging itself.
2) The study conducted by Dr. Pezzuto showed that resveratrol was effective against the progression of cancer. Most impressively, it was effective in all the major stages of cancer -- the initiation, promotion, and progression.
3) Resveratrol has been shown to help lower bad cholesterol (LDL), and, therefore, may be a potent nutrient in preventing cardiovascular disease. It has also shown to reduce the clumping of platelets. Thus, such conditions as atherosclerosis and heart attacks, which are often caused by arterial blockages, may potentially be reduced by this potent substance.
Quercitin..
Bioflavonoids are potent nutrients that help maintain the health of collagen. Collagen is responsible for the firmness and health of our largest organ -- our skin. Indeed, wrinkles and sagging is the direct result of the breakdown of collagen.
Quercitin, along with other bioflavanoids, can also improve the health of capillaries and connective tissues. Because of this, the many benefits of quercitin include alleviating bruising, edema, varicose veins, and fragile capillaries.
Other benefits include its ability to inhibit the release of histamine. As such, it is said to help mitigate conditions brought on by some type of allergin (ex. eczema, asthma, hay fever, etc) and has been ascribed anti-inflammatory properties. Indeed, the prestigious Mayo Clinic, after conducting laboratory tests, concluded that quercitin may be useful in helping to treat or prevent prostate cancer.
In the words of the Mayo Clinic researcher Nianzeng Xing, Ph.D who presented the findings of the study: "Our laboratory results showed quercitin blocks the androgen activity in androgen-responsive human prostate cancer cell lines."
"By blocking the androgen activity," he continued, "the growth of prostate cancer cells can be prevented or stopped."
DMAE benefits..
DMAE can elevate one’s mood, counter depression, and boost cognitive functions (such as memory and concentration), and even increase intelligence. These benefits stem from this nutrient’s role in manufacturing acetylcholine, which is a substance responsible for healthy mental functioning.
Physician’s monitoring patients on DMAE have reported that such people are more congenial, upbeat, and exhibit greater mental acuity. In addition, people taking it often report sleeping better and having more energy while awake.
Lastly, one of the best DMAE benefits is that it promotes healthy skin, by preventing the manufacture of arachidonic acid, which is a substance that leads to the formation of wrinkles. For these cosmetic purposes, it can be both taken as a nutritional supplement and applied topically via a cream.
The Nutritional supplements you should avoid are as follows:
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Cheap vitamin supplements from your local vitamin store - They will be bouught in bulk and adhere to none of the above that we have mentioned.
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Nutritional supplements that do not contain the ingredient's above along with vitamins and minerals - This is because nutrients work together, and, if a certain nutrient is not contained, the effects of a certain nutrient will be rendered useless.
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Supplements that do not comply to pharmaceutical GMP compliance.
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Avoid companies that do not hold a Certificate of Analysis confirming the potency of the ingredients listed.
